Most of Michigan’s Great Lakes water levels remain below their 2024 monthly averages — with lakes Michigan and Huron down as much as 10 inches from a year ago.
“The forecast June 6th water levels are above levels from a month ago by 1 to 7 inches on all lakes, except Lake St. Clair, which remains near its level from last month,” the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Weekly Great Lakes Water Level Update said this past week. “Lake Ontario is 6 inches above levels from a year ago, while the other lakes are below levels from last year by 4 to 10 inches, depending on the lake.”
The Great Lakes’ water levels are constantly changing, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials keep track of their monthly fluctuation, Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy said. Over the summer, water levels typically experience a gradual rise from the change in weather and the melting of ice.
Though April marked the start of the Great Lakes’ seasonal rise as ice melted, the last recorded ice on Lake Huron was as late as May 8; and Lake Superior was May 11.
Compared June 6, 2024, Lake Superior down 4 inches; Lake Michigan-Huron (jointly measured) were down 10 inches; and Lake Erie down 7 inches.
Lake Ontario is the only lake seeing a higher water level — by 6 inches — this month than 2024.
Compared to May 2025, the Great Lakes’ water levels have slightly increased.
Since the May 6 forecast, the report showed Lake Superior up 2 inches; Lake Michigan-Huron up 2 inches; Lake Erie by 1 inch; and Lake Ontario up 7 inches.
Officials forecast all of the Great Lakes’ water levels to rise again by July 6, the Corps said, except Lake Erie.
Here’s more on the Great Lakes’ water levels:
What are Great Lakes’ water levels right now?
As of the June 6, 2025, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers weekly Great Lakes water level update, here are the levels:
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are recorded as one because their water levels rise and fall together — they are “connected through the Straits of Mackinac,” Wisconsin Sea Grant said.
How have the Great Lakes’ water levels changed from 2024?
Compared to June 6, 2024, most of lakes saw lower average water levels in 2025; here are the differences:
How do the lake levels compare to long-term averages?
Here are differences from the long-term monthly averages for June:
Will Great Lakes’ water levels rise this summer?
Yes, officials forecast most of the Great Lakes to have a slight higher water level by July 6, 2025. Here the projections for the lakes:
What are the records highs and lows for the Great Lakes?
Great Lakes high and low water level records (mean level), from 1918-2023.
Why do water levels change in the Great Lakes?
The variability of Great Lakes water levels is necessary and normal, according to EGLE, though high levels can pose issues for waterfront communities.
There are several factors that influence the water levels among the lakes — so much so, water levels are subject to change within hours.
Some factors include the changing seasons (variable weather) precipitation, evaporation, strong winds, seiches, and flood control.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan’s Great Lakes water levels see slight rise. How deep are the lakes this month?
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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